Keylor Navas breaks Real Madrid clean sheet record following failed Manchester United move

Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas secured a clean sheet in the 4-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night (15 September) to lead his side to a new record as it the first time in the club's 113-year history that they have not conceded a goal in the first four games of the campaign.

The Costa Rica international has put the failure of his proposed move to Manchester United on deadline day behind him, a deal that would have seen David de Gea move the other way, and has gone 360 minutes without conceding a goal. The goalkeeper has secured clean sheets against Sporting Gijon, Betis and Espanyol in La Liga and the aforementioned Shakhtar game, which was a Champions League tie.

Following his clean sheet against Espanyol at the weekend, the custodian became the first Real 'keeper to start a season with three consecutive clean sheets since 1975 - and only the second in the club's history to manage this feat, before achieving the record against the Ukraine club.

After the Shakhtar game, Real Madrid manager Rafael Benitez praised his side for getting another clean sheet but lamented the injuries that Gareth Bale, Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos suffered during the match.

"It was a difficult game. They manage the ball well and like to maintain possession and that makes it complicated when we have to defend. They have players who are skilful and quick. Controlling them wasn't easy," he said. "But despite that we did create chances on goal without playing particularly brilliantly. I'm happy that we were able to make the most of the opportunities we did get and not concede any. The only downside was the injuries."

Navas moved to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2014 to back-up Iker Casillas following an impressive World Cup. However, after the club legend moved to Porto in the summer, many suggested that Real Madrid needed to sign a proven number one such as De Gea. Despite the club signing Kiko Casilla from Espanyol in the summer, Navas has not only convinced Benitez to be his number one but has also proved the doubters wrong.

Some may argue Benitez's work on the defence has helped the 'keeper get his job done but he has also been called on to make some important stops in each game – including a penalty against Betis.